title: Dietary enrichment of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with extra virgin olive oil in combination with seal oil inhibits atherogenesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we investigated the antiatherogenic effect of dietary enrichment of a combination of extra virgin olive oil (EVO) and seal oil on apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-).
  
  
  METHODS
  Six-week-old female and male apoE-/- mice were for 12 weeks fed a lipid rich diet containing 19.5% fat and 1.25% cholesterol without any supplement, with 1% (wt/wt) mixture of extra virgin olive and seal oil (EVO/n-3), or 1% corn oil, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementation with the combination of EVO/n-3 significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic arch, thoracoabdominal, and total aorta of female apoE-/-mice. The effect was less pronounced in male mice and significant reduction was only observed in the thoracoabdominal region of the aorta. There were no differences or changes in dietary intake or body weight gain. However, compared to the other groups, plasma levels of triglycerides were reduced in both female and male mice fed the EVO/n-3 mixture. Male mice on both treatments showed reduced plasma cholesterol compared to the control mice after 12 weeks on diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary supplementation of a marine/olive oil combination inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation in the female apoE-/- mice by antithrombotic, antihypertriglyceridemic, and antioxidant effects.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. karl-erik.eilertsen@uit.no
authors.forename: Karl-Erik
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Eilertsen
authors.forename: Hanne K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Mæhre
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cludts
authors.forename: Jan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Marc F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hoylaerts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006952:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol